Product description

'The moment of danger is close. Very soon our enemies will be here.' As danger increases, the Spook sends his apprentice, Tom, to be trained by another spook whose methods are harsh and tough. But faced with a powerful water witch, Tom's new master makes a fatal mistake, leaving Tom to face his enemies alone. Can the Spook get there in time to save Tom? Together can they beat such terrible dark power? And will the Spook's own mistakes give final victory to the dark? The fifth chilling tale in the Wardstone Chronicles, the series that inspired the forthcoming movie The Seventh Son, starring Jeff Bridges, Ben Barnes and Julianne Moore.

Author information

Joseph Delaney is a retired English teacher. He has three children and nine grandchildren and is a wonderful public speaker available for conference, library and bookshop events. His home is in the middle of Boggart territory and his village has a boggart called the Hall Knocker, which was laid to rest under the step of a house near the church. Most of the places in the Spook's books are based on real places in Lancashire. And the inspiration behind the stories often comes from local ghost stories and legends.

Customer reviews

The Spook sends Tom to Bill Arkwright to get some additional training. Meanwhile Alice has been sent away. Tom doesn't have an easy time with Bill and things go horribly wrong when he disappears while hunting Morwena. Fortunately Tom is there and so are Alice and the Spook to help with the dire situation.
This book has been more grim than the previous one. The Fiend is gaining strength and Tom has no idea how he has to deal with such a powerful evil being. Tom needs allies and they aren't all Spook approved. This book is scary and crude. Tom is growing up and with that comes more understanding. The stories are getting rougher and the enemies are being stronger and fouler every time.

Review quote

"Joseph Delaney's terrifying and brilliant Wardstone Chronicles probes the nature of evil ... The ambiguous relationship between all the characters is as gripping as the gory battle against blood-sucking witches and demons, forcing its hero to continually question whether evil is inherited or chosen" -- Amanda Craig The Times "The Spook's Mistake is as good as, if not better than the previous four books in the Wardstone Chronicles series. Those who may have been concerned that the quality of the series may begin to wane needn't have feared as it continues to go from strength to strength" Fantasy Book Review